The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1887-12-04


only reached Venice in time 10 join the guests
over their coffee and cigars Observing the
spendor OF the reception rooms and taking
note especially of the artfui mixture Of COM
fort and luxury in the bed chambers, he be-
gan to share the old nurses views Of the
future, and to contemplate seriously the com
ing dividend Of 10 per cent. The hotel was
beginning well, at all events. So much inter
est in the enterprise had been aroused at nome
aud abroad by profuse advertising that the
whole accommodation Of the building had
been secured by travellers Of all nations for
the opening night Henry only obtained one
OF the small rooms on the upper floor by
lucky accident the absence Of the gentleman
who had written 10 engage it, He was quito
satisfied, and was on his way 10 Led whe1
another accident altered his prospects for the
night and moved him into another and q
better room.
Ascending on his way to the higher regions
as far as the first floor Of the hotel, Henry's
attention was attracted by an angry voice
protesting, in strong New England accent,
against ono Of the greatest hardships that can
be Inflicted on a citizen Of the United States
the hardship OF sending him 10 bed without
gas in his room.
The Americans are not only the most hos
pitable people TO be found on the face Of the
earth-they are under certain conditions the
most patient and good ,empered people as
well But they are human; and the limit Of
American endurance is found in the obsolete
institution Of a bedroom candle The Amer.
can Traveller, in tho present case, declined to
believe that his bedroom was in a completely
81. 81
manager pointed to tie fine antique decora-
hons-renewed and regilt-on the walls and
ceiling, and explained that the carnations of
burning gas light would certainly spoil them
In the course Of few months. 70 this the
traveller replied that 1t was possible, but that
be did not understand decorations A red
room with gas in 1t was what he was used TO,
was what he wanted and was what he was
determined to have. The compliant manager
volunteered to ask some other gentleman.
housed Oh tie inferior upper sory-which
was lit throughout with gas-to change
rooms. Hearing this, and being quite willing
70 exchange a small bed chamber for a Large
one, Henry volunteered to be the other gen
teman The excellent American shook
hands with him on the spot. You are a
cultured person. sir he said. land you viii
no doubt understand the decorations"
Henry looked at the number Of the room
on the door rs he opened 1t. The number was
Fourtee
Tired and sleepy, he naturally anticipated
@ good nights rest. In the thoroughly
healthy state Of his nervous system, he slept
as well in bed abroad as in a bed at home.
Without the slightest assignabe reason, how
ever, his just expectations were disappointed.
The luxurious bed, the well ventilated room,
the delicious tranquility Of Venice 10y night,
oil were IN favor OF lis sleeping well. he
never slept at all An Undesirable sense OF
depression and discomfort kept him waking
through darkness aud daylight alike. lie
went down - the coffee room as soon as the
hotel was astir. and ordered some breakfast.
Another uBaccOuntable change IN himself
appeared with the appearance Of the meal.
he was absolutely without appetite An ex-
celeut omelet and outlets cooked 10 perfec.
ton he sent away untasted-be, whose Ape
tnN never failed BIN, whose digestion was
still equal 10 any demands on ~
The day was bright and fine. He sent for
n gondola, and was rowed 10 the Lido
Out ON the airy lagoon he felt ike n rev
man. He had not left the hotel ten minutes
l. -
ing on reaching the landing place, he crossed
the Lido and enjoyed a mornings swim in
the Adratic There vas only poor res
taurant on the island in those days, but bis
appetite was now ready for anything, he eat
whatever was offered ~ him, hike famished
man.
He could hardly believe, when Ire reflected
on it, TINT he had sent away untasted his ex-
cellent breakfast At the hotel.
Returning to Venice. be spent the rest Of
the day in the picture galleries and the
churches Toward O'Clock his gondola
took him back, with another fine appetite, 70
meet some travelling acquaintance with
whom he had engaged TO dine at the table
dhote
The dinner was deservedly rewarded with |
che highest approval by every guest in the
botel but one. To Heury's establishment !
the appetite with which be had entered the |
house mysteriouSly and completely left him |
when he sat down 10 table He could drink |
some vine but he could literally eat moth |
ing. "What in the world is the matter with /
your his travelling acquaintance asked. !
He could honestly answer, Il know no more /
than you do"
When night came he gave his comfortable /
and beautiful bedroom another trial The /
result Of the second experiment was a repeti- /
ton OF the result Of the first Again he felt /
the all peryadng sense Of depression and /
discomfort. Again he passed seepIess night 1
And once more when he tried % eat his /
breakfast bis appetite completely failed him.
This personal experience of the new hotel /
was too extraordinary TO be passed over in .
silence Henry mentioned it to his friends
In the public room, in the hearing OF the
manager The manager, naturally Jealous .
IN defense OF The hAel, was lJtle hurt at
the implied reelection cast on Number -Four
teen lie invited the travellers present 70
Judge for themselves whether Mr. Westwcks
bedroom was T. blame Tor M Westwcks
deepless night; and he especially appealed to
q gray headed gentleman, guest at the
breakfast table OF an English traveller, to
take the lead i'll the Investigation. This is